Box folding and taping machine



M y 6, 1930. I I J. H. MCPIKE 1,757,736

BOX FOLDING AND TAPING MACHIN E Fil ed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 ay6, 1930. J. H. M PIKE 1357,73)

Box FOL'DING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May '10, 1924 '9 Sheets-Sheet 2 wW m I/w/EN r013 John H. M /kc.

TTOENEY May 6, 1930. I 1 MCPIKE 1,757,73@

ox FOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet v MmeMay 6, 1930. i J. H. M PIRE 1,

BOX FOLDI NG AND TAKING MACHINE v May 6, 1930. J. H. MCPIKE 1,757,730

BOX FOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOE ,J'O/m h. MOP/L66- (47 7'0 ENE Y May 6, 1930. J. H. M PIKE BOXFOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INmEA/TOE:

19 ro A/EY y 17930- J. H. MOPIKE 1,757,730

BOX FOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE F iled May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 May6, 1930. J McPlKE 1,757,730

BOX FdLDING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 "-M,E a

J. H. M PIKE BOX FOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE May 6, 1930.

Filed May 10, 7.924 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN ME N TOE Ja/m M /ks.

' Patented May 6, 1930 JOHN H. MCPIKE, OF ALTON, ILLINOIS'.

BOX ZEOIJIDIIN'GAND TAIPING, MACHINE Application flledjlay 10, 1924.Serial No. viaaaa.

This invention relates to a certain new and useful machine for foldingcorrugated or other fiber boards or blanks and taping the edges togetherforthe purpose of making cartons or packing receptacles for shipping andhandling various classes of merchandise.

It has been found that packing boxes or cartons for shipping andhandling various classes of goods can be made from wood fiber bycorrugating a thin sheet and-pasting or gluing a plainsheet on either orboth sides of the corrugated sheet, thus giving the product sufficientstrength, elasticity, and pliability to make a container of a very highquality for packing and shipping goods of various kinds. These boxes orcontainers have usually been made by cutting to-size and scoring thebox-board, that is, marking by an indentation along the line where thestock is to be folded. At each corner of the box, the stock is slit andslotted so that it may be turned in at right angles to'form the top andbottom of the box, respectively. v

The usual method employed in the production of such boxes or cartons isto, form the boardby hand into a box and join the abutting edges bymeans of a tape pasted firmly down upon each end, so as to hold the endstogether.

I am aware, however, that a number of machines for folding boxes are insuccessful operation, and I am also aware that taping folded boxes bymachinery is not broadly new, but heretofore, as far as I am aware, eachof these processes has been performed either by single machines workingindependently or partly by machinery and partly by,

hand. It is an object of my present invention to provide, and I hereshow and will describe, 40 a combined machine forfolding and tapingboxes, thereby increasing production, while reducing the cost thereof,and makingboxes of uniformly high quality. a

My present application in its claims is directed, however, moregenerally to the folding mechanism of the machine, the taping mechanismthereof, while herein shown and described, forming more generally thesubjectmatter of a separate application. 5 Anotherobject of my presentinvention is the provision of a machine of the type stated that isefliciently capable of handling and folding into box-form box-blanks orstock of various sizes, shapes, and dimensions.

Another object of my invention is the pro-i vision of a machine of thetype stated that is I substantially entirely automatic in its action,requiring operators attention only in delivering of the stock, out tosize, in bulk and installing upon the machine a reel of tape preferablysufiiciently long to keep or maintain the machine in operation forseveral hours.

With the above and other objects in view, myinvention resides in thenoval features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination ofparts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (nine sheets) Figure 1 is a plan view of asheet of stock slit, slotted, and scored for box-formation;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a taped and folded box;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a'box bef(l)re the top and bottom havebeen folded in p ace;

Fi ure 4 is a perspective view of a complete boxolding and tapingmachine of my in- -vent ion;

F1gure5 is an enlarged broken section, 4

showing cams, racks, an pinions for transmitting reciprocatory motion tocertain of the moving or operating parts of the machine;

Figure 6 1s a cross section of the box-folding portion of the machine,showing its wings and 35 clamps;

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation, partly broken away, of thebox-folding'portion of the machine;

Figure '8 is an'enlarged perspective view of a central portion of themachine broken away; I

Figure 9 isa similar viewof a rear portion of the machine;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of a rear por-- tion of the machine,showing the location and parts of the taping element;

Figure 11 is an elevation, partly broken away, of the indexing andadjusting discs of the taping portionof the machine;

Figure 12 is a detail cross section of the ta ing indexing and adjustingmechamsms; 5igure 13 is a side elevation of the taping mechanism;

Figure 14 is an enlarged perspective view, partly broken away, of thetaping mechanism as a whole; and

' Figure 15 is a fragmental sectional vlew of a slightly modified formof the folding portion of the machine. I

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to thedrawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, Adesignates the base or frame of the machine, as a whole, B the receivingplatform on which the stock C to be folded and taped 1s placed, D thefolding element, and E the taping mechanism.

While any particular form of base or frame that is strong,'sturdy, andrigid may be used, in my machine I preferably employ a base or tablecomprising a frame constructed of a plurality of longitudinal andlateral metal beams 3, which may be of channel, I-beam, or otherconvenient form, firmly joined or united together at rightangles, so asto form a substantial, rectilinear structure, supported at a suitableheight by end and intermediate preferably metal legs 4 braced .bydiagonal members 5 firmly attached to the legs 4 and the side beams 3,the frame being braced and strengthened by intermediate longitudinalmembers 6, transverse members 7, and diagonal members, one of whichlatter is shown at 8. For the purpose of additionally strengthening thetable and providing a bearing for certain of the moving parts of themachine, the table or base A is equipped with lateral truss-members 9and cross or lateral rods 10 supported on upwardly extendingsidebrackets 11, the truss-members 9 and rods 10 being reinforcedcentrally by braces 12 upstanding from table A and, in turn, connectedto the truss-members 9 by adjustable turn- "buckles 13. The base A isfurther equipped with a rigidly secured longitudinally disposedcenter-beam 14 extending throughout the entire length of the baseintermediate its sides, which beam 14 not only serves to increase therigidity of the base, but is the working center of the machine fromwhich all lateral adustments are made, for purposes shortly appearing.Suitably connected beams 15, firmly fixed to the'legs 4, as best seen inFigures 4 and 7, serve both to give the base additional rigidity andalso as a supportingframe for the bearings of the main driving shaft 16.Itwill thus be apparent that the structure of the base is such that itwill withstand all the difi'erent stresses and strains that may beimposed upon it in the usual operation of the machine, the necessityof'a base of this extreme strength, stiifness, and weight arising fromthe fact that all the operating parts of the machine are eithersuperimposed upon transmitted from pulley 19 when desired through themedium of a suitable friction clutch, not shown. Rigidly attached to themain driving shaft 16,'as best seen in Figure 7, is a small spur gear 20engaging, for thepurpose of reducing the speed of the operating parts ofthe machine, with a larger gear 21 rigidly fixed to a counter-drivingshaft 22 mounted for rotation on base A.

The stock C, as shown in plan in Figure 1, is in the form of a sheet ofsuitable material, such as, for instance, card or corrugated board, cutto size, scored, and slotted, that is to say, the edges of the stockhave been suitably cut and slotted inwardly, as at 1, in alignment withthe scoring, to provide the foldable top and bottom portions or flaps ofthe box, respectively. The stock C is disposed for folding cross-wise,so to speak, of the platform B, as best seen in Figure 4, and Figure 2illustrates a box that has been folded and its free edges broughttogether and taped,

as at 2, by our combined-folding and boxtaping machine. Figure 2 alsoillustrates the form in which the folded and taped box is delivered fromthe machine after the tape 2 has been applied, whileFigure 3 shows anonsquare or quadrilateral box-blank, such as the present stock C, thathas been folded, taped, and delivered by the machine and the foldedparts then drawn apart for the purpose of folding in the end-flapspreparatory to the completion of the box.

As best seen in Figure 4, the receiving-platform B is in the form of apair of preferably wooden floor-sections 23 suitably fixed to runnersdisposed for shifting movement on the table-frame upon opposite sides of.centcrbeam 14 and for such purpose fixed to, and shiftable laterally ofthe table-frame with, certain beams 36 hereinafter more fully described.The floor-sections 23 are each provided transversely with a groovedraceway 24, fitting in which for adjustment are brackets 25 supportingpanels or wings 26, 26, and on the floor-sections 23 at the forward endof the machine is placed the unfolded stock or boxblanks C of Figure 1,cut to dimensions and scored as desired in and depending upon the sizeand dimensions of the finished or completed box, the stock or blanks Cbeing superposed one upon the other or stacked in a pile,

occupies a fixed position near the lateral center of the base A adjacentthe rear end of the machine and is disposed to deliver the tape to thefolded stock at the exact working or lateral center of'the machine.Hence, the

box-blanks C to be taped must be so positioned upon the platform B thatwhen fed forwardly and folded and their free edges brought togetherfor=taping, the 'joints will each correspondingly be in the lateralcenter of the table and carried in a straight line rearwardly to thetaping mechanism E.

The proper location of the stock C upon the platform B being suitablydetermined so that, when its edges are folded over and brought together,the. joint to be taped Wlll be in approximately the exact lateral centerof the beam 14, the guide-way-formmg and stock-holding-wings or panels26 are ad uSted into sliding contact with the vertical sides of thestock-pile C and secured adjustably in I such position by means ofhand-screws 27 seated in the brackets 25 and adapted for en gageinentwith the grooves of the raceway 24. In the present instance, suitableabutmentplates 29, 29, are removably or detachably secured to the wingsor panels 26 for cooperation therewith in holding the stock C i in apile, the plates 29 being-spaced from the surface of the platform 23 a'distance slightly more than the thicknessof asingle sheet of stock,thereby permitting the lowest sheet C to pass rearwardly under them whensuch sheet is engaged by the conveyor-chains or feeding means, shortlyto be described. I

may state here that-the abutment-plates 29 are employed-for theconvenience of the attendant only when box-blanks of relatively smallsizes are being folded and taped; when larger size boxes are being made,the abutment-plates 29, 29, may be omitted, in which event a likefunction is performed by a pair of adjustable abutment-plates30'supported on, and which may be oppositely adjusted Disposed upon thetable A for movement crosswise or laterally of the table, and extendingthroughout in parallel spaced relation with and upon opposite sides ofthe center beam 14, are the previously mentioned preferably metal beams36 having their up per longitudinal surfaces longitudinally grooved orchanneled, as at 37, sufficiently wide and deep to freely carry endlessbelt conveyor chains 3838 having rigidly attached to their upper sidesshort, flat,

straight-sided lugs 39 disposed at right angles to the axisof travel ofthe chainsv 38 and adapted to engage with andcarry forward the bottom orlowest box-blank C in the pile disposed, as stated, upon the receivingplatformsections 23. Rigidly attached to and depending from the conveyorbeams 36 at the forward end of the machine are brackets 4040 supportingshort shafts or axles 41, mounted for rotation upon whch are sprocketwheels 42 having engagement' with the conveyor chains 38; and rigidlyattached to and depending from the beams 36 at the rear end of themachine are similarbearing-brackets 40 that, with other suitablebrackets, as, for instances, bracket 43, support for rotation atransverse driving shaft 44. Loosely s lined or feathered onthe shaft 44and stradd ed by the brackets 40 to permit lateral adjustment of thebeams 36 together with the parts attached or associated therewith, aresprocket wheels '45 having driving engagement with the conveyor-chainsor belts 38. Fixed on shaft 44 and having driven connection by means ofa chain or belt 46 with a sprocket- ,wheel 47 fixed on the driving-shaft22, is a sprocket-wheel 49. As indicated, the beams 36 and theconveyor-chains 38 extend longi-' tudinally the length of the machine,and hence it will be evident that, on rotation of shaft 22, the endlessconveyor-chains-38 and their lugs 39 will be actuated to feed thebox-blanks C successively rearwardly through the machine.

Fixed upon, and movable transversely of the machine with, the laterallyshiftable beams 36, are bearing brackets 50, in which are mounted forboth slidable and rotary movement splined shafts 51, and suitably fixedon the shafts 51 are oppositely disposed pairs of box-blank foldingwings 52, 52, preferably of the form'best seen in Figures 4, 6, and 7Keyed to the counter-driving shaft 22, is a cam 53 and follower 54having engagement with a rack-bar 55, which, in turn, has meshingengagement with a gear 56 fixed on a transverse shaft 57 supported forrotation at its ends in suitable'bearings, one of which is shown at 58,Figure 5. Centrally, the shaft 57 extends loosely through the laterallyshiftable beams 36, as seen inFigure 7, and feathered upon the shaft 57and enclosed in suitable housings 59 rigidly attached to the outer facesof the respective beams 36, are pinions or gears 60, 60, best'seen inFigure 7, each having engagement with one face of respective two-facedracks 61 likewise suitably supported in position by the housings 59.Feathered on the shafts -51 are respective gears or pinions 62, whichmesh with the other face of the res )ective racks 61, and hence it willbe evident t at, as shaft 22 is rotated, a reciprocatory, or up anddown, movement will be imparted to the rack-bar and shaft 5'7 concausedto rotatably move first in and that as shaft 57 is so caused to rotarilymove first in one direction and then in the other direction, thetwo-faced racks 61 w1ll be caused to reciprocate and the shafts 51consequently caused to rotate through an arc of approximately 180 firstin one direction and then in the other direction. Thus, thefolding-wings52 will, in like manner, with their supporting shafts 51,be caused to swing or oscillate through an arc defined by the letters abfirst inwardly towards and downwardly upon the stock-blank C beingconveyed by the chains 38 and then upwardly and outwardly from suchblank C.

Intermediate their ends, the shafts 51 are each provided with a seriesof annular cogs forming circular racks 63, having meshing engagementwith which are pinions 64 suitably housed upon the beams 36 and splinedon a transverse shaft 65. in turn, suitably supported for rotation atits ends by table A and extending loosely through the beams 36.

. Fixed on shaft 65, is a gear 66 having meshing engagement with arack-bar 67 held in place at its rack-end by a bracket-yoke68 dependingfrom the shaft and fixed for reciprocatory movement at its other orlower end to an eccentric-strap 69 co-operating with an eccentric 70keyed to the driving shaft 22. It will hence further be evident that, asshaft 22 is rotated and rack-bar 67 caused to reciprocate, the shafts 51and their attached wings 52 will be given a reciprocatory movementlongitudinally of the m'achine, and thus, as the conveyor-chains 38 aretravcling constantly in one direction and successively feeding thebox'blanks O rearwardly of the machine, the wings 52 both reciprocaterearwardly and forwardly of the'machine and fold inwardly and outwardlyrelatively to the fed box-blanks C; and we may here state that thereciprocating movement of the wings 52 is so timed and synchronized bothwith relation to their oscillatory or swinging movement and to thefeeding movement or rearward travel of the conveyorchains 38 that thewings 52 oppositely open or swing outwardly through an arc ofapproximately 180 during their rearward reciprocating movement andoppositely close or swing inwardly through approximately the same areduring their forward reciprocating movement. Thus, as the successivebox-blanks C are being fed rearwardly of the machine, the wings 52, intheir described closing swinging movement, gradually engage theprojecting ends of the successive box-blanks C and fold the sameinwardly and downwardly, as best seen in Figure 7, and then open torelease the particular folded boxblank C and so on throughout theoperation of the machine.

Extending longitudinally of the machine over the lateral center of thebeam 14 and suitably rigidly supported at its ends by the forward andrear center brackets, 12, with its lower edge sufficiently spaced fromthe table to allow free movement thereunder of the successive box-blanksC in folded form, is a fixed so-called guide-member in the formpreferably of .an elongated metal plate 71 adapted to correct anyirregularity that may result in the described folding of the boxblanks Cby the wings 52, so that the joints between the so folded end flaps of'the respective successive box-blanks 0 shall be in the lateral centerof the machine for uniform projection or feeding ina straight 'line tothe taping mechanism E shortly to be described.

I have found from experience that, in order that the taping may be welland efliciently accomplished, it is substantially necessary that theportions or flaps of the successive box-blanks be completely flatteneddown after folding, and for this purpose we provide so-calledpressing-clamps or pressers which are preferably in the form ofelongated wooden members or beams 7272 di osed centrally of the machineupon the opposite sides of and parallel with the guide-plate 71.Preferably, the upper marginal portion of the plate 71 is of increaseddimensions, not only to give it strength and rigidity, but also to serveas a support for spaced bearings 737 3 for bell-cranks 74-74 havingpivoted disposed brackets 1112. Near one end of i the rocker-shaft 78,is rigidly attached a rocker-arm 79 connected by a pivotally joined link80 to another rocker arm 81, rigidly, in

turn, keyed to a second laterally disposed horizontal shaft 82,similarly supported for rotation by the rear center brackets 11, 12, asbest seen in Figure 5. Keyed to shaft 82 is a pinion or gear 83 havingmeshing engagement with a rack 84 held in position by a suitable housing85 and provided at its lower end with a cam-follower or roll 86 havingco-operating engagement with a grooved cam 87 keyed to thecounterrdriving shaft 22. It will be evident that, as the countershaft22 is rotated, the rack 84 will be reciprocated, the shafts 82 and 78rotarily rocked first in one direction and then in the other, and thepressing clamps 72 successively shifted and rocked and thereby depressedor lowered u on and then removed from the successive fol edbox-blanks Cas the blanks C are being fed rearwardly through the machine to thetaping mechanism; and it follows that the rack 84 will be caused toreciprocate either constantly or intermittently in conformity to thecontour of the groove of cam 87 and that correspondingly the shiftableor rockable clamps 7 2 will be lowered upon the successive foldedbox-blanks C and then immediately elevated therefrom or first loweredupon the successive folded box-blanks C, then allowed to refore, I haveso designed the cam 87 to cause the rack 84 to make a full reciprocationand then rest, from which it follows that the presser-clamps 72 remainin pressing engagement with and hold the folded ends of the successivebox-blanks C flattened down until the same are by the chains 38rearwardly conveyed under the holding-guides or plates 88, bestseen inFigures 4 and 7.

It is evident that, as the folding-wings 52 exert pressure on thesuccessive stock C in the act of folding, the stock would be liftedbodily from a horizontal position if means of restraint were notprovided. Hence, such disposition of the stock is restrained by fixedlongitudinally disposed guides 89 having one end, as at 90, bolted tothe abutment-plates 30, which guides provided straight sides or wallsparallel to the longitudinal axis of the folding wings that not onlyprevent the fed stock from lifting at the axis of the fold, but, insurea straight fold exactly parallel to the edges to be taped. The guides 89remain in fixed relation with the folding wings 52 and conveyor-beams 36and since they are also in fixed relation with the abutment-plates 30,the mechanism for effecting lateral adjustments thereof to accommodatedifierent size box-blanks or stock must all be coupled together toinsure uniform and synchronous adjustments, all of which later appears.

In such manner, the machine being constantly in operation, thebox-blanks C are first stacked upon the receiving-platform B, thensuccessively fed to the folding andfiattening means and in such feedingheld and guided horizontally upon the table A by the guides 89, thenuniformly folded for taping by the wings 52 in co-operation with thefixed guide-plate 71, then held in flat folded condi- -tion by themovable presser-clamps 72 and fixed, clamps or plates 88, and then withthe joint so formed fed to the taping mechanism for taping. I may statehere that, as specifically illustrated in Figure 15, I prefer tofacilitate the feeding of the successively folded box-blanks G by meansof an auxiliary conveyor in the form of an endless chain 176, foraccommodating which the center beam 14 is cut-away or apertured, as at177, and longitudinally channeled or grooved, as at 178,

rearwardly from the opening 177 to adjacent the taping mechanism D. Thischain 176 is reeved upon an idler gear 179 suitably mounted for rotationon a bracket 180 fixed to the beam 14, a second idler gear 181, in turn,mounted for rotation upon a bracket 182 fixed to the beam 14, and adriving gear 183 fixed on a shaft 184 suitablymountedfor rotation on thetable-frame A. Suitably located and fixed on shaft 184, is a spur gear185 having driven connection by means of a chain 186 with a larger gear187 suitably fixed on the counterdriving shaft 22. Adj ustably carriedby the chain 176 for successively engaging the folded box-blanks C aresuitably spaced engaginglugs 188 grooved upon their upper faces foraccommodating and moving under the fixed guide-plate '71. By means ofthe chain 176, the successively folded blanks C are engaged intermediatethe main conveyor chains 38 and the feeding of the box-blanks C inproper and uniformly folded condition to the taping mechanismfacilitated. :Preferably, to avoid any interference with the tapingmechanism, the channel 178 is somewhat deeper adjacent the gear 181 thanat its forward end adjacent the gear 179, as shown.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be noted that the tape 2 has beenapplied to the folded box-blank or stock C at a point some distance fromits opposite top and bottom.

sides and center, and in such connection I may here state that thedistance from the center .of'the tape 2 to the right-hand margin of thebox of Figure 2is the length of a side of the box and the distance fromthe center of the tape 2 to the left-hand margin of the box 'of Figure 2is the width of the box, the dimension from side to side of the blankdefining the unfolded height of the box. It will be-evident that when aquadrilateral box-blank, such, for instance, as th'ebox-blank or stock Chere shown, is folded fiatwise together, the edges to be taped will benearer one right or left margin of the folded stock than to the other.Only a square box may be so folded that theedges or ends to be joinedwould meet in the exact center. It will, therefore, be obvious that afolding and taping machine to be economically successful and eificientin the handling and production of boxes of various sizes and variousshapes'should be adjustable, so that the tape may be placed at anydistance desired between the left and right margins of the box-blank orstock when folded fiat together, as here shown in Figure 2. My

boxes of practically any shape, size or length.

It will be clear, however, that if these various lateral adjustmentsshould be inaccurately made by a careless or indifferent operator,

much stock would be wasted and the work performed by the machineunsatisfactory, and that the mechanism for effecting such lateraladjustments upon one lateral side of the machine must operateindependently of the mechanism for effecting such lateral adjustmentsupon the opposite-lateral side of the machine. It will also be clearthat all lateral adjustments upon one sideof the machine must besimultaneously made so that all the sevcralparts to be adjusted on suchrespective sideof the working center of the'machine may functionproperly with a fixed relation to one another. Such mechanism in mymachine will now be described, and since the mechanism for effectingadjustments on the one side of the central beam 14 are duplicated uponthe other lateral side of the machine, a descrip {3)ion of one suchmechanism will suffice for Mounted for rotation upon the table A is aseries of transverse shafts 91 suitably spaced longitudinally of themachine, each shaft 91 being screw threaded for a part of its length, asat 92,- and having engagement with a threaded bracket 93 rigidly fixedto the conveyor-beam 36, a beveled gear 94 rigidly keyed to the outercenter of the shaft 91 having meshing engagement with a mating bev eledgear 95 rigidly keyed to the longitudinally disposed rotatable shaft 33.As before stated, the shaft 33 is manually rotatable by the crank 35,and it will be apparent from the construction here described that, ifthe crank 35 is actuated in one direction, the particular beam 36,together'with the parts associated therewith and carried thereby, willbe actu-.

ated toward the center beam 14, and if the crank 35 is actuated in theop osite direction, the particular beam 36 and t e parts associatedtherewith and carried thereby will be drawn from the center beam 14. Asbest seen in Figures 4 and 7, the ears 32 fixed upon the screws 31carrying t e abutment-plates 30 are connected for actuation by means ofbeveled gears 96 and 97 and diagonall disposed shafts 98 with theadjusting sha s 91, and thus in a simple, efficient-manner, on actuationof the main adjusting shafts 33 disposed at the opposite sides of theframe, the conveyor chains 38, the abutment plates 30, the restrainingguide-clamps 89, and the folding wings 52 upon the opposite sides of thecenter-beam 14 may be independently adjusted laterally toward or, fromthe center beam 14 to accommodate for feeding and folding box-blanks ofvarious sizes and dimensions, so that when folded and their free edgesbrought} together for taping and irrespective of the size and dimenisonsof the box-blank, the edges thereof to be taped will be broughtflatwise'in abutting relation in the exact lat eral center of themachine.

In the foregoing description, I have described the various parts of themachme,

which effect successive folding of the boxblanks C, the free edges ofeach thereof to be taped being folded and brought together toapproximately flatwise abut in a straight line and in the exact lateralcenter of the machine and as so folded delivered or fed by theconveyor-chains 38 and 17 6 to the taping element E, now shortly to bedescribed. The

veloping from the raw material into thefinished product in the shortestpossible time. In my present machine, the conveyor 38, when feeding,runs continuously in one direction, carrying the stock C rearwardly fromthe receiving platform through the process of folding and tapin withouta pause. Since the tape must be placed upon the folded box throughoutits lateral center and at various distances from its .longitudinalcenter, as illustrated in Fi ure 2, it is evident that exact anddefinite adjustments of the taping element be provided for. I haveprovided for all longitudinal adjustments for placing the tape by thelateral adjustments of the conveyor and folding elements relatively to afixed center, as before described. The adjust: ments for placing thetape in the lateral center of the folded box-blanks of variousshapes andsizes are provided for, as shortly appearing, by adjustments whollywithin the taping element E, which is built preferably as an integralpart of the combined machine, although it is evident that either thefolding element or taping element would perform their respectivefunctions independently of desired has been referred to above and willbe further elucidated as'the' taping element is explained. The secondinvolves means for maintaining the adhesive at a temperature and adegree of fluidity or viscosity that will insure the firm adhesion ofthe tape to the box. It is well understood that the fluidity orviscosity of liquids is affected both by temperature changes and theamount of humidity in the atmosphere. I have found by experience that,if the tape receives the proper degree of moisture fromfthe moisteningroll on days when the atmosphere is hot and dry, the tape must beapplied as quickly as possible after leaving the moistening roll; on theother hand, when the atmosphere hasa high tened by the roll and itsapplication. to the.

box-blank. I have, also, found that this adj ustment of the machine mustbe made during its operation as often as a material change in humidityor temperature takes place.

The taping mechanism E is located, as before stated, adjacent therearend of the machine, disposed to deliver the tape to the to the bracket99, as best seen in Figure 14.

Rigidly fixed to the shaft 100, is a radially disposed rocker orpuller-arm 102, to the outer or free end of which is rigidly fixed adownwardly projecting curved portion or housing 103 supportinga pair ofopposed sets of suitable preferably yielding or spring tape-grippingfingers 104. To and between the fingers 104, tape 105 of any suitablewidth and quality is supplied and threaded from a reel thereof disposedand securely held by lateral fasteners 106 between 'two' holding disks107 mounted for rotation upon a stubshaft carried at one end of abracket-arm 108 supported intermediate its ends for rotary movement upona bracket 109 upstanding from the-table A. A duplicate pair ofreel-holding disks 107 is carried for rotation by the/other end of thebracket-arm 108, so that, when the supply of tape from one reel isexhausted, the duplicate reel may he switched into position, either pairof said reel-holding disks being held in tape-supplying position by aspring actuated fastenerbolt 110 adapted to engage a keeper 111 car riedby the disks, all as best-seen in Figure 9.

The tape 105 is first drawn from the reel by hand andthen threaded underan idlerroll 112, then under amoistening reservoir supplied preferablyby a tank 114, then around an idler-roll 115, then beneath a guide-roll116, and then over the moistening roll 117 with the gummed surfacecontacting withthe periphery of the moistening-roll and receivingmoisture therefrom. The tape 105 is then passed under an idler-roll 118,

- where the tape is reversed so as to expose the moistened side thereofto the atmosphere without contactin with the surface of the severalrollers. T e tape 105 is then passed over an idler-roll 119 supported ona stand ard 120 and from roll 119 threaded between the opposed sets offingers 104, where the tape is held taut and under tension and grippedby a so-called gripping-member 121 held by means of slots and bolts 122for limited sliding movement upon the rocker-arm 102 and adapted at oneend to clamp the threaded.

tape 105 against an upwardly projecting portion 123 of thefinger-housing 103. As best seen in Figure 14, the gripping-member 121is normally held yieldingly in retracted position out of engagement withthe tape by means of a retracting-spring 124 and is positively actuatedto engage or grip the tape against the housing-portion 123 by means of arocker-arm 125 radially projecting from and fixed to the said so-calledsolid shaft 101. It will be evident that, following such arrang'ement,the rocker-arm 125 will also be yieldingly held by the spring 172 bothin. and returned to normal position.

Mounted for rotatory movement in a suitable bearing 126 supported by thebracket 99, is a shaft 127, fixed upon which is a member 128, best seenin Figures 13 and 14. As there shown, the member 128 is of somewhatskeleton form and surrounds for relative movement the tape-tensioninghousing 103, and through which member the housing 103 is adapted toreciprocatorily swing rearwardly downwardly and forwardly upwardlythrough an arc of approximately 32. The member 128 carries a knife-blade129, which is normally, or when in elevated position, disposedrearwardly of the fingers 104, as seen in Figure 13, the member 128beingalso as more fully later appears, adapted for swinging movementrelatively to the tensioning-housing 103 to bring its carried blade 129into tape-shearing or cutting co-operation with a. fixed or stationaryknife-blade 130 disposed under the member 128 and supported by across-member 131 carried for adjustment, for purposes later appearing,by the bracket 99, as best seen in Figure 13.

Also suitably carried for rotation by the bracket 99 and disposedrearwardly of the. co-operatingknife-blades 129 and 130, is a preferablyknurled or otherwise peripherally roughened presser-roller 132,co-operating in stock-feeding relation with which is a roller 133suitably supported by rotation upon a bracket 134 pivotally supportedfor adjustment on the frame A by an arm 135.

It will be apparent that without means for adjusting the feed of thetape and the cut lengths of the tape, the tape will always be deliveredto the stock at one point irrespective of the size or height of theboxes being taped, and hence the taping of different size boxes wouldrequire difierent size machines.

In my machine, however, provision for adj usting the feed of the tapeand the cut lengths of the tape to all sizes and heights of boxes ismade, and such means and the means for .actuating the tape-gripping,pulling, and cutting members will now be descrlbed.

on thersleeve 137, so that said members or veyor driving-shaft 44.

disks shall rotate with the same angular velocity and in fixed relationtoeach other.

- Mounted on the sleeve 137 is a pinion-gear 140 having drivenconnection by means of a chain or the like 173 and a train of gearingdesignated as a whole as 174, see Figure 9, with a sprocket-gear 175fixed on the con- Also mounted on sleeve 137 and fixed to the gear 140,is a graduated or so-called index disk 141; and disposed on sleeve 137in flatwise abutting relation with the disk 141, is a smaller disk 142provided upon its periphery with a pair of outwardly projectingso-called cam-noses 143, 144, and also with an outwardly projectingindex finger orp'ointer 145 adapted in co-operation with and relativelyto the graduated disk 141 to indicate the angularity of the disk 142relatively to the disk 141 for the purpose of'eifecting adjustmentsofthe pulling fingers 104 and gripping-member 121 in theirtapeengagements to suit or correspond with boxes of various sizes.

Also disposed upon the sleeve 137 in flat-- wise abutting relationwiththe disk 142, is a second graduated or index disk146 sustaining afixed relation to the larger graduated disk 141 by means of a hub-sleeve147 and dowel pins 148, as best seen in Figure 12.

Further disposed upon the sleeve 137 in flatwise abutting relation withthe second dial disk 146 is a fourth disk 149 provided upon itsperiphery with an outwardly projecting index-finger 149 and with one ormore preferably removable cam-grooves 150 adapted for engagement by aroller 151 carried in the end of the rocker arm 152 rigidly attached tothe shaft 127, which shaft 127 is adapted for rotation under thetorsional tension of a helical spring 153 coiled about the shaft 127 andone end of which is attached to a collar 154 and the other end of whichis attached to the shaft bearing 126. Rigidly attached to the hollowshaft 100, is a pawl 155 adapted for actuation by the cam-nose 144 ofdisk 142, and rigidly fixed on the solid shaft 101 is a second pawl 156adapted for actuation by the cam-nose 143 of the disk 142. It will nowbe evident that, on rotary actuation of the disk 142, the pawl .150 willbe tripped. thereby effecting a yielding rocking against the pull ofspring 172 of the arm 125 and the the tape 105, in such movement, beingcarried between the now spaced cutting blades 129 and 130 and depositedlengthwise upon the joint in the stock C being fed or conveyed betweenthe eo-operating rollers 132 and 133.

It will also be evident that, when the roller 151 drops into acam-groove 150, the shaft 127 will be instantly caused to rotate underthe torsional tension of the spring 153, in turn,

effecting a rocking of the knife carrying memher 128, upon whichmovement the movable blade 129 is carried'into tape shearing or cuttingco-operation with the fixed or stationary blade 130. and the tape 105thereby cut at the exact ,point desired after the same has been fed, asdescribed, to and upon the joint in the box-blank C traveling betweenthe rollers 132 and 133, which rollers are caused to rotate underfrictional engagement with the traveling stock.

It will be noted that the cam-noses 143, 144, are symmetrical or alikeon their lifting or pawl-tripping faces and thereby effect substantialsimultaneous operation of both the gripping member 125 and thepuller-frame or housing 103, while their opposite faces are unlike, thecam-nose 143 being shaped or formed, as shown, to release thegripping-actuating arm 125 in advance of release of the pullerarm 102 bythe other camnose 144, both of which, upon such release return to normalposition by the pull of their shaft-engaging spring 17 2, thegripping-plate or member 121 being at the same time retracted by thespring 124. The purpose of such release of the tapegripping and pullingmembers is to prevent any pulling of the tape from its supporting reelon the return movement of said members, as will be obvious.

As best seen in Figure 14, the stationary knife supporting-member 131 ispreferably adjustable by means of an adjusting-screw 157 and itsco-operating-mechanism 158. The tension or grip of the fingers 104 uponthe tape is adjustable by means of an adj ustmentlever 159 supported bytheir housing 103, and it will be clear that, when the puller-housing103 and its carried fingers-104 are yieldingly returned to normal by theaction of the helical spring 172, thetape 105, having been alreadyadhered to the moving stock; continues to be drawn from the reel throughthe puller-frame 103 and guide-wires 104 until a sufiicient length hasbeen supplied to suit the size box being taped when the rocker arm 152drops into one of the cam grooves 150, causing the cutting mechanism tooperate as is above described.

After the tape is cut to length and applied, it must be smoothlydisposed over the surface of the taped edges of the box. This isproperly performed by two rotatable brushes 160, 160, rigidly keyed totransverse shafts 161, 161, suitably supported in bearings 162, 162, anddriven by the sprockets 163, 163, actuated by the chain 173, and I mayadd that the idlerroll 133 positioned beneath the stock and cooperatingwith the knurled roller 132 is -pref-.

erably vertically adjustable by means of a wedge and screwadjustment,not shown, for increasing or decreasing the pressure applied to the tapeas it passes betweenv the rollers 132 and 133.

Reverting now to the indexing assemblage best seen in Figures 11 and 12,normally the several members of the assemblage rotate continuously infixed angular relation to one another, which fixed relation ispredetermined by the height-dimension of the particular box-blanks orstock being taped. It will be noted that the dials 141 and 146 aregraduated in inches, half-inches, and quarter-inches from zero to sixtyinches. The purpose of such graduation is to serve as an index foreffecting pulling and cutting of the tape to proper length and forplacing the tape at the proper point on the successive folded boxblanks.The two graduated dials 141 and 146 carry identical graduations up tosixty and serve as an index for setting the taping mechanism to handlestock up to a size measuring sixty inches overall in height or stock ofsubstanti ally any even division of sixty inches in overall height. Forlarger sizes a larger machine of identical parts and identical functionsmay be constructed, and it will be apparent from the foregoingdescription that the tape will be placed upon the moving stock atapproximately the exact moment the cams 143, 144 engage and trip thepawls 155, 156, and as the taping element E, the folding element D, andthe stock feeding means operate in fixed timed relation with each other,the tape will always be placed at the same and exact point so long asthe cams 143, 144 bear the same timed relation to the other moving partsof the machine.

The above statements apply with equal and exact force to the cuttingmechanism. Therefore, in order to-vary the point of contact of the tapewith the successive folded boxblanks C and also to vary the point atwhich the-tape is severed, it is necessary to change the timed" relationof the cams 143, 144 and the cam grooves 150 with the other moving partsof the machine. The dial-faced disks 141, 146, remain always in a fixedtimed relation with the moving mechanism of the enpleterevolution, theconveyor-chains 38 have traveled sixty inches. When the disks 141, 146make a half revolution, the conveyorchains 38 have carried the stockforward thirty inches, and so on, in like proportion. 1

If now the plain disks 142, 149 be rotated relatively to the dial disks141, 146, so that their index fingers 145, 149*" point to zero and 30 ontheir respective 'cooperatin graduated disks 141, 146, and if the plaindisk 149 had only one cam-groove 150, the tape would be placed first atzero and then at ever sixty inches- Now, if the plain disk 149 eprovlded, as in the present instance, with two cam-grooves 150dametrically opposite, the tape will be laced and cut at every thirtyinches from t e point at which they are set. Four cam-grooves 150disposed 90 degrees apart wouldefl'ect a taping and cutting at intervalsof fifteen inches, and so on.

Observing Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be evident that the tapemust be placed at an exact and definite distance'from the front edge 8of the folded stock. In the resent instance, let it be be assumed that te lugs or box-blank C there shown, is twenty-five inches, and that theend flaps the ortions a: to

be folded in, that is to say, the orward portion :20 of the blankbetween the edge 8 and the scoring line of the blank tween the edge tand the ad- ]acent scoring line a, are each five inches in width, sothat the finished height of the box, with its top and bottom flapsfolded in, that is to say, the portions w of the box intermediate thescoring lines y-a, is fifteen inches; consequently, the index finger 145of the tapeplacing disk 142 will be set at twenty inches, so that, whenthe stock has moved ten inches rearwardly through the taping mechanism,or an aggregate distance correspondin substantially to the width of theend ap an of one blank and the forward flap w of the succeeding blank,the tape will be applied. The length of the tape to be measured and cutis fifteen inches, and hence the tape pulling and cutting mechanism willbe set to correspondingly pull or measure and cut the tape. Thus, atevery thirty inches travel of thiICOIIVEyOI-ChZLlIIS, the tape will beapplied an cut.

By loosening the clamping nut 139 on the g and the rearward portion wthe plain disks 142, 149, may be provided with any number of cam-nosesand camrotates as a unit. It will be understood that hould it berequired to fold and tape boxes 0 of more than sixty inches of overallheight, 7

this result may be obtained by decreasing the the torsional tension ofthe spring 172. This speed of the indexing mechanism relatively to theconveyors. In short, by such ad ustments in the timed relation of thesetwo mechanisms, the present machine may be well described as a universalbox-folding and boxtaping machine.

An important and valuable feature of my machine is the automatic controland temperiture regulation of the moistening fluid. The fluid suppl tank114, which is of large capacity, is capa le' of hermetic sealing by ascrewthreaded cap 164 and so positioned for communication by avertically disposed feed-pipe 165 having a stop flow valve 166 with thereservoir 113, into which the moistening fluid or water flows. Beneaththe reservoir 113 is an electric or gas heater 167 of any suitable kindthat may be closely regulated to a temperature that will maintain thewater or adhesive at a proper consistency or viscosity. An air-tightconduit 168 is vertically disposed through the bottom of the supply tank114: and extends upwardly to near the top of said tank, the lower endextending downwardly to the desired water level into the open receptacleor reservoir 113, both ends being open. It is, therefore, evident that,as the fluid sinks below the lower open end of the conduit 168, air willbe permitted to enter the supply tank 114 thus breaking. the hermeticseal and causing the water .to flow into the reservoir 113 until thewater level rises sufliciently high to stop the flow of air which, inturn, eifects a stoppage in the flow of wa ter-hence a constant level isautomatically maintained in the reservoir 113.

I have found by experience that the gumm'ed surface of the tape afterbein moistened is extremely sensitive to heat and moisture. I have alsofound by ex erience' that corrugated box-board and other ox materialvaries greatly in absorbent characteristics and that, in order to insureefiicient and satisfactory adhesion of the tape to the stock,

. the viscosity of the adhesive must be changed to suit the atmosphericand weather conditions, as well as to suit various classes of stock. Bymeans of the heating element 167 I maintain the moistening fluid at aproper consistency for average conditions, and then by raising orlowering the idler roll 119 upon the standard 120, the roller 119 beingadjustable up or down upon the standard 120 by means of a friction-clamp169 over a relox-b sink or stock may be atively widera nge, I am able toexpose the spring 172 is of such strength, however, that it recoils withconsiderable force and, if not opposed, would impose harmful strain andshock upon the adjacent mechanism. To obviate this, I have provided apneumatic shock absorber consisting of a pivotally mounted cylinder 170provided Wlth' an adjustable air vent 171 having a piston reciprocabletherein, which piston is operatively connected to a rocker-arm, notshown, located interme-' diate the ends of the shaft 100 and rigidlyattached thereto. When the spring recoils, it is evident that the shockwill be absorbed by the air cushion between the piston and cylinderheads.

-As best seen in Figure 9, the shiftable beams 36 are provided in therear portion of the machine with side plates 189, which, at theirupstanding marginal portions, function to guide the folded'and taped boxfrom the machine.

My machine is automatic in its operations and is exceedingly eflicientin the performance of its intended functions, and I am aware thatchanges in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of theseveral parts of my machine may be made and substituted for those hereinshown and described without departing from the nature and principle ofmy invention.

Having thus described In invention, what I claim and desire to secure yLetters .Patent 1s:

1. A box-folding machine including;. in combination, means comprisingoppositely disposed wings swingably and reciprocatorily movable forengaging and folding the stock, and continuous feeding means forconveying the stock to and from the folding-wings.

2. A box-folding machine including, in combination, a pair of spacedrack shafts rotarily and slidably movable, oppositely disposed wingsfixed to and movable with the shafts, mechanism for effecting bothrotatory and reciprocatory movement of the shafts for swingably andreciprocatorily actuating the wings to engage and fold the stock, and

means for conveying the stock to the win s.

I machine, means for folding the fed stock, and

resser-clam s .shiftable duringfeeding movement the conveying means forengagin the folded fed'stock;

5. 1% a box-folding machine, means for conveying the stock through themachine, means for foldin the fed'stock, resser-clamps for engaging thefolded fed stock, and mechamsm 1 for s ably actuating the presser clamps5 during feeding movement ofthe conveying means.

6. t In a box-folding machine, means for conveyin the stock through themachine, 0p-

osite y disposed members for engagmg the ed, stock for oppositelyfolding portions thereof, a air of resser-clamps for engaging the fol edfed stock, and means for shifted stock thereof, a shiftable pair ofresser-beams for -ably actuating the clamps simultaneously duringfeeding movement of the conveying means. i A

7. In a box-foldingmachine, means for conveyin the stock through themachine, op ositely is osed members for engaging the or oppositelyfolding portions engagingthe folded fed stock, and means for shiftablyelevating and lowering the presserbeams simultaneously during feedingmovement of the conveying means.

8. In a box-folding machine, means for conveying the stocklongitudinally through the machine, oppositely disposed members I forengaging the -fed stock for oppositely folding elongate I positelyortions thereof, a .shiftable pair of d presser-beams disposedlongitudinally of the machine for engaging the folded fed stock, andmeans for shiftably elevating and lowering the resser-beams during feeding of the-fed stock, shiftable resser-clamps for engaging the foldedfed stock upon opposite sides of said fixed member, and mechanism forshiftably actuating the presserclamps.

11. In a box-folding machine, means for conveying the stocklongitudinally through the machine, oppositely-disposed members forengagingthe fed stock for oppositely folding ortions thereof, a fixedmember disposed ongitudinally of the machine intermediate the foldingmembers for guiding'the folding of the fed stock,shift a bleresser-clamps for erg gaging the folded fed stock on op osite s1 esofsaid fixed member, means for s ifta-' bly actuating the presser-clampsduring feeding movement of the conveying means, and-- the fed stock'fixed clamps formaintaining1 in folded pressed condition w en releasedby the folding members and presser-clamps.

ort, :means upon the support for maintain-, mg the stock in a pile,conveying means traveling under the pile for feedlng the stock from thepile through the machine, and means comrising swingable members actuableduring 12. In a box-folding machine, a stock supeeding movement of theconveying means 1- for folding the fed stock.

'13. In a box-folding machine a stock sup-' port, means upon the supportfor maintaining the stock in a pile, conveying means traveling under thepile for feeding the stock I from the pile through, themachine, meanscomprising swingable members actuable during feeding movement of theconveying means for folding the fed stock, and means for retaining thestock horizontally upon the support while being acted on by the foldinmeans.

14. In abox-folding machine, a support for stock of various dimensionsto be folded, in combination with means comprising conveyors laterallyshiftable relatively to each other for conveying the stock of variousdimensions through the machine, and means comprising swingable membersalso laterally sliiftable relatively to each other for folding the fedstock of various dimensions.

151 In a box-folding machine, a support for stock of various dimensionsto be folded, means lIlCllldlIlg conveyors laterally shiftablerelatively. to each other for conveying the stock through the machine,means including oppositely isposed swingable members laterally shiftablerelatively to each other for folding the fed stock, and mechanism forshiftably adjusting the conveying and folding members 1n accordance withthe dimensions of the particular stock being folded;

16. A box-folding machine including, in I combination, a support forstockof various dimensions to be folded, beams oppositely shiftableupon'the support, means comprising members mounted for swingablemovement upon the beams for folding the stock,

means comprising conveyors traveling upon the beams forfeeding the stockto the folding means, and means for shifting the beams relatively toeach other for adjusting the folding-members and conveyors in accordancewith the dimensions of the particular stock being folded.

17. A box-folding machine including, in

dimensions to be folded, adjustable means for maintaining stock ofrespective various dimensions in a pile upon thesupport, beams.oppositely shiftable upon the support, means combination, a support forstock of various i

